Joan Riudavets

Joan Riudavets Moll (15 December 1889 – 5 March 2004) was a Spanish supercentenarian and, at the time of his death, was believed to be the oldest verified person ever in the history of Spain. However, subsequent research by the International Database on Longevity has revealed that there were two anonymous women who were older than Riudavets at the time of their deaths.^[1] He became the oldest recognized living person in Europe following the death of Italian Maria Teresa Fumarola Ligorio in May 2003, and the oldest recognized living man in the world following the death of Japanese supercentenarian Yukichi Chuganji in September 2003.

Riudavets is the oldest man to die in Europe, and is one of only six men in history who have undisputably lived to age 114.

Joan Riudavets was born in Minorca. His mother, Catalina Moll Mercadés, died at age 25 before the end of December 1889.^[2] Riudavets' wife, whom he married in 1917, was born in 1889 and died around 1979.^[3] He worked as a cobbler until retiring in 1954, and was a former village councillor of Es Migjorn Gran.^[2] He was on a Mediterranean diet, which included: olive oil, tomatoes, fish and bread.^[2] Riudavets was able to walk by himself and ride a bicycle until his death. Some of his hobbies were playing the guitar, singing, and playing football.^[2] He died aged 114 after having a cold for a few days (but not being seriously ill) in Minorca, Spain.^[3] He was the last recognised surviving man documented as born in the 1880s and was the 3rd verified man to live to be 114. He is now the seventh-oldest verified man in history.

Riudavets was survived by two younger brothers: Pere, who died in 2006 at the age of 105 and Josep in 2009, at the age of 102.^[2][4]

• On 3 January 2002, Antonio Todde died, and Riudavets, 112 years 19 days, became the oldest living man in Europe.
• On 2 February 2002, Maria Esperanza Onieva died, and Riudavets, 112 years 49 days, became the Doyen of Spain.
• On 14 May 2003, Teresa Fumarola died, and Riudavets, 113 years 150 days, became the oldest living person in Europe.
• On 28 September 2003, Yukichi Chuganji died, and Riudavets, 113 years 287 days, became the oldest living man.
• On 5 March 2004, Riudavets died, and Fred Hale became the oldest living man, Jorja Hernando became the Doyenne of Spain.

• At the time of Riudavets's death, he was believed to be oldest person ever from Spain. But research revealed that they were two Spanish women older than Riudavets at the time of their death, so making him the oldest man ever from Spain, as well as the oldest person from the Balearic Islands.

• Ageing
• Longevity
• List of the verified oldest men
• List of the oldest people
• Oldest people
• Supercentenarian

• Report on Moll's deathTemplate:Es icon
• Find A Grave

Template:Oldest Men

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